Protein intake pattern in non-breastfed infants and toddlers: A survey in a nationally representative sample of French children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Protein intake plays a key role in infants and children's growth, but high protein intake may have adverse long-term effects. Data on actual intakes in various populations are scarce. The aims of this study were (i) to assess daily protein intake (DPI) in non-breastfed infants and children aged 0.5-35 months in comparison with the population reference intake (PRI) set by the European Food Safety Authority, and to examine (ii) the various sources of this intake and their consumption patterns, and (iii) time-related changes in DPI over the last 4 decades. METHODS: Data from the Nutri-Bébé cross-sectional survey were used to assess DPI, DPI/kg BW and the protein-energy ratio (E%) by age group. The amounts and quality of each food consumed were recorded over three non-consecutive days and validated by two face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Overall, this study included 1035 children. Median DPI were consistently above the PRI, reaching 4 times PRI in the older toddlers (41.4 g/d; range 15.1-64.0). Regardless of age, more than 95% of children had a DPI/kg BW above the PRI. Protein intake remained below 14 E% until 6 months of age and increased thereafter from 10% to 75% in children older than one year. Overall, DPI gradually decreased from 1981 to 2013. Milk and dairy products were the main contributors to DPI up to 2 years, while the share of other animal sources became predominant later. Plant contribution remained below 25% of DPI. CONCLUSION: Despite a gradual decrease over the last few decades, DPI have remained well above the PRI. As the predominant contributors to these intakes are animal sources, the potential long term health consequences of such high intake deserve consideration. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT03327415 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Breakfast Consumption in French Children, Adolescents, and Adults: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey Examined in the Context of the International Breakfast Research Initiative.

This study examines the consumption of breakfast on the basis of a 7-day dietary record (Comportements et Consommations Alimentaires en France 2012⁻2013) in a representative sample of French children (n = 426), adolescents (n = 250), and adults (n = 1045). A large majority of the participants were regular consumers of breakfast (5⁻7 times per week). Breakfast accounted for 17.6% of total daily energy (339.4 kcal). Breakfast was rich in carbohydrates (24% of total daily intake) and simple sugars (31% of total daily intake). Relative to its contribution in daily energy intake, breakfast contributed higher proportions in the daily intake of many vitamins (B, C), and minerals (calcium, iron, iodine, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium). The main foods/beverages contributing to breakfast changed with age, with increasing contributions of non-wholegrain "bread and toasts" and "fruits", and a decreasing contribution of milk. Better quality of the diet, as measured by tertiles of the Nutrient Rich Food Index 9.3, was associated with higher intakes of cereal products (bread and breakfast cereals, particularly wholegrain), dairy (milk, fresh dairy), and fruit at breakfast. In conclusion, breakfast is regularly consumed in France and contributes significantly to diet quality but could be improved in terms of content in fiber and protein.